OAL for .303 using Frontier CMJ bullets

[Colin]

So I am starting my first rifle reloading session and started to load up a dummy round to sort out issue, and my first is OAL. Min. oal for 174gr bullets according to the Lee book is 3.075. This would leave about 3-4mm of the bullet in the case, which does not seem like much. Even my factory loads I have don't come close to that OAL. I think the issue is that the CMJ's are flat tipped bullets reducing their length.

Any thoughts and any target load reciepe for 174gr with IMR 4320 would be great.

 

[loogie33]

Frontier CS Game Ranger – 303 230grains

CALIBER 303


CASE USED Highland


FIREARM Lee Enfield MK4 22” Barrel


CRIMP USED No Crimp


COL 72.14


CHARGE 37.7gr


POWDER


VELOCITY 1704 fps


I used this col when loading the 174 grains

 

[Northman999]

Frontier CS Game Ranger – 303 230grains

CALIBER 303


CASE USED Highland


FIREARM Lee Enfield MK4 22” Barrel


CRIMP USED No Crimp


COL 72.14


CHARGE 37.7gr


POWDER


VELOCITY 1704 fps


I used this col when loading the 174 grains

72.14" COL! That's some .303 you load for there! Sure you're not loading for an eighteen inch battleship gun?

Colin, just shorten up your COL so the bullet is sitting firmly in the neck, at least 2/3rds down. You do not need to go as far out as you suggest. I use COL 2.930" for 180gr power points, and that is right at the cannelure. They shoot great.

 

[Colin]

Frontier CS Game Ranger – 303 230grains

CALIBER 303


CASE USED Highland


FIREARM Lee Enfield MK4 22” Barrel


CRIMP USED No Crimp


COL 72.14


CHARGE 37.7gr


POWDER


VELOCITY 1704 fps


I used this col when loading the 174 grains

This is for 4320?
I can't find any data for 4320 + 174gr, I know I saw it in the Hornady book

 

[Colin]

72.14" COL! That's some .303 you load for there! Sure you're not loading for an eighteen inch battleship gun?

Colin, just shorten up your COL so the bullet is sitting firmly in the neck, at least 2/3rds down. You do not need to go as far out as you suggest. I use COL 2.930" for 180gr power points, and that is right at the cannelure. They shoot great.

Just tried that length and the cartridge does not chamber properly, I tried 2.870 which is for 125gr and it sort fits, but I can feel the shouder of the bullet starting to dig in. It seems that the best length with these CMJ is around 2.770 which allows my dummy rounds I made up to chamber properly.

 

[loogie33]

72.14" COL! That's some .303 you load for there! Sure you're not loading for an eighteen inch battleship gun?

Colin, just shorten up your COL so the bullet is sitting firmly in the neck, at least 2/3rds down. You do not need to go as far out as you suggest. I use COL 2.930" for 180gr power points, and that is right at the cannelure. They shoot great.

72.14MM which works out to 2.83" and that data is from frontiers website....

 

[chise]

These are the Marstar bullets 50 for $10.00 right?

Let us know how they work when you figure out the OAL issue, I'm really thinking about buying some.

 

[CanAm]

I just load to have at least the diameter in the case, to ensure a firm hold and consistent pressure buildup. You can go less, such as when using pistol bullets. You are going to have a long jump to the rifling any way you do it.

 

[chise]

So CanAM, when you getting reloading supplies?

I just load to have at least the diameter in the case, to ensure a firm hold and consistent pressure buildup. You can go less, such as when using pistol bullets. You are going to have a long jump to the rifling any way you do it.

 

[CanAm]

Please don't hijack other peoples threads. If you have a question for me, please send me an email.

 

[Colin]

So I loaded up some 150 gr .303 and 7.62x51 I used 42 and 45gr of H414 respectivly. Now i note that in the 7.62x51 case the powder comes up to the bottom of the neck and the bullet base is likely resting on the powder, is that OK? From my reading it seems to be.

 

[muzzle flash]

Shot at 100 meters using front rest. #4 MK2 Gun sighted in for .3105 Hornady.